Monday, April 12, 2010

Greater Sense of Place Showcased

Albany Marriott

Lorrain Ferrara
Carl Carrozza
Edward Synan

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Final Activity: Austin's Glen


Our final activity took place in Austin's Glen. We are
thankful to the owners of the Astoria Motor Lodge
for granting us acess to such a beautiful spot.

We first hikes the trails. Josh, an alumni of
this program helped us out. We were supervised
by Mr. Carrozza and Mrs. Leibowitz shown above.

There were several great swimming holes along the way.
Recent rains made the water fast and chilly.

Zack caught a frog. Kelsey didn't care when he
shook it at her!

Emily tried to turn him back into a prince.

Thank you to Mr. Carrozza, Mrs. Leibowitz,
Ms. Payne, and Mr. Federman. Also thanks to the
Bank of Greene County and the Rotary Club
for funding the program.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Hike and Swim at North Lake


The group set out to hike north on the Escarpment Trail.
We noted the yellow and blue trail markers.
The few down into the valley was misty but tremendous
just the same.
The drop off is 2-3000 feet!

We stopped to enjoy the view and eat lunch at Sunset Rock.
Notice the great view of North/South Lake!

We met some artists there. The artists told us they
came from all over the world...Australia, Germany!
They were part of a multiyear symposium on the
Hudson River School of Art. Mr. Carrozza explained
that the first real American Art movement happened
here! Famous paintings by famous artists such as
Thomas Cole of Catskill and Frederic Church (Olana was
his house) were done right from this spot just like the
artists were doing today.

To get to Sunset Rock you could take a longer trail
or climb through this rock fissure!



After the hike we enjoyed the beach at North Lake.
We swam and played with the sand. We also relaxed
and talked.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Kayaks, Odes, and Dubois

We first paddled North and West on the Catskill Creek.




After a few minutes, everyone was comfortable steering their kayak.

The group takes a break for a picture and for lunch.


We made stonepiles at Mookwa Beach.


We studied a damselfly that Sam caught. Mr. Federman told us that damselflies have eyes on either side of their head. We learned how to tell the males from the females. There were other characteristics to look at too.

Later we turned around and paddled to the Dubois Creek.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Off to the Hudson River and the Ramshorn Creek


When we started the water was at low tide.
But first we took a group picture.
Besides Mr. Carrozza we were led by Mrs. Liebowitz and
her husband who was recently installed as a board of education member.

We paddled past the Dubois Creek because it had no water in it.
We went on to the Hudson heading south until
we came to the Ramshorn Creek.

Ryan helped Olivia with her Kayak when we got to
dock at the end of the Ramshorn.

After lunch we took another picture and headed back to the school.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Schedule Summer 2008



Here is the schedule for this summer. Please check here often for schedule changes or updates. I will also post pictures and a summary of each outing. Besides the original sign-up form (please get them in ASAP or I will have to recruit other participants), I will need a standard emergency form for each child. I will try to send you this in pdf format via e-mail in a couple of weeks.


Date & Time Activity

Mon, June 30
9:00 A.M.- 2:30 P.M.
Real Science
Dragonfly Project

We will meet at the Middle School parking lot. We will walk to
the Livingston Marsh Sanctuary where Mr. Larry Federman will
teach us how to capture dragonflies and gather scientific data for
state-wide study. After lunch we will canoe or kayak on the Ramshorn
Creek. Bring a bag lunch.

Wed, July 2
9:00 A.M.- 2:30 P.M.
Park Clean-Up
& Canoeing and
Kayaking Expedition

We will meet at the middle school parking lot. We will spend
some time working on the “Pocket Park.” Bring a bag lunch.
After lunch we will canoe or kayak on the Catskill Creek, and
either the DuBois Creek, Hudson River, and the Ramshorn Creek.

Mon, July 14
9:00 A.M.- 2:30 P.M.
Real Science
Dragonflies & Kayaking

We will meet at the Middle School parking lot. In the morning, we
will walk to the Livingston Marsh Sanctuary where Mr. Larry
Federman will teach us how to capture dragonflies and gather scientific
data for state-wide study. After lunch we will canoe or kayak
on the Ramshorn Creek. Bring a bag lunch.

Tues, July 22
9:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
A Day of Hiking and
Swimming at North Lake

Please provide your own transportation or carpool.
We will meet at the gate of North/South Lake we will enjoy the
day at the beach with a picnic lunch and hike the Escarpment Trail.
Parents are invited to spend the day as well. We will leave North
Lake at 2pm

Thurs, July 24
9:00 A.M.- 2:30 P.M.
Swim and Hike at
“Second Bridge”

We will meet at the Astoria Motel just off of old Rt. 23 near Leeds.
Please make your own arrangements for transportation. Wear your bathing
suit. Bring a towel, sun screen, insect repellant, and a water bottle.
You bring a lunch and we’ll provide some snacks. We will be hiking
this beautiful area and learn about its flora and natural history. We’ll
allow time to wade in the peaceful swimming holes along the creek.
Make sure you have a 2:30 pickup arranged from the same location!


Sunday, August 26, 2007

Camping Trip

Are you ready for some camping, with a twist? As you probably
know by now we plan to make this trip exciting and fun. We would like
to help you be as prepared as possible to ensure that you all have a
good time.
We have planned many team events that will be both physically and
or mentally challenging. Following is a list of what you should bring
with you.

A bagged LUNCH for Monday. (dinner, snacks and breakfast will be
provided)
2 pair of sneakers (in case one gets wet) please don’t wear flip flops
or sandals.
a folding chair
Sleeping bag, pillow, vapor barrier (so sleeping bag doesn’t get wet
cardboard works well)
Personal hygiene items
Rain coat or poncho
Swim wear, towel
Sun block, bug spray
Clothing for warm weather as well as for cool weather (just in case)
Warm ,dry clothes to sleep in. It will get cold at night time
Flashlight
There is a snack bar so you may bring money if you wish

We are very fortunate to have access to this campground. It is
important that we all behave as respectfully as possible. Remember to
pick up all of your garbage and obey all rules. There will be other
campers there as well so we won’t want to intrude on what they may be
doing. It is our hope that we will be welcomed back in the future since
this site meets our needs so well. Thank you and we are looking forward
to seeing you. (Meet for bus Monday 27th at CMS at 9am sharp...return Tues 28th at 12 noon)

Saturday, August 4, 2007

Schedule updates

Hi kids,

I didn't get official word yet, but let's figure on doing a kayak/canoe workshop on Wednesday August 22. 9am - 2:30 for Group A. bring a lunch, waterbottle etc. We will start at the school and likely head toward the Hudson but enter the Dubois Creek (tide permitting).

Let's figure on doing a kayak/canoe workshop on Tuesday August 21. 9am - 2:30 for Group B. bring a lunch, waterbottle etc. We will start at the school and likely head toward the Hudson but enter the Dubois Creek (tide permitting).

The camping trip will be at White Birches Campsites in Windham. More info to come.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Glen Again!

Thanks to the hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Abel of the Astoria Motor Court, we returned to austin's Glen. We were joined by Laura Carrozza, an Art graduate of CGCC. It was a 90˚ day so we spent much of the time in the water.


Laura molded a clay head from the local clay.
...and made an arrangement of wildflower petals.